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Clothing options abound for beach-bound dogs

By: SUE MANNING The Associated Press

June 3, 2013Updated: June 3, 2013 at 11:19 am

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FILE - This June 8, 2012 file photo shows King, a nine-year-old golden retriever rides a wave while surfing in the Incredible Dog Challenge dog surfing competition in San Diego. There are about 95,000 miles of shoreline around the United States and among the most treasured by dog lovers are those where you can unleash the beast. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, file)

When Craig Haverstick approaches the beach with his dog in tow, Stanley instinctively knows he's in for a treat. His ears perk up and he starts sniffing the salty air.

"Chesapeake Bay retrievers are like plants, they need to be watered every now and then," Haverstick said of the 9-year-old he's been taking to the beach in San Diego weekly for eight years. "We have some great dog beaches. Dogs and people both drool over them."

Dog beaches account for a tiny fraction of the thousands of miles of U.S. shoreline, but they are treasured by pet owners and their pooches.

"Off-leash dog beaches are a canine's dream come true," said Lisa Porter, owner of Pet Hotels of America, a travel website that lists thousands of beaches and parks where dogs are allowed on leash or can run free.

Every beach has its own draw. If you're traveling to San Diego, there are three quality off-leash options: Fiesta Island in Mission Bay is great for swimming; Ocean Beach Dog Beach is good for dogs to play together; and Coronado's Dog Beach is described as magical.

Beaches where unleashed dogs are allowed complete freedom are typically fenced, offer drinking water and showers for dogs, bags to pick up dog feces and trash cans.

Dog lovers say the biggest problem is that there aren't enough beaches for their pets and parking is often scarce.

Efforts to create more pooch-friendly beaches, such as one that died in Santa Monica two years ago, have run into resistance from California State Parks.

Critics say letting beaches go to the dogs threatens species such as shore birds, jeopardizes the safety of visitors, ruins the experience for beachgoers and can pollute water and sand with poop and urine.

Fans who frequent the beaches say they provide a great playground for their hounds and even can be therapeutic.

Other top West Coast off-leash dog beaches recommended by Porter include Huntington Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, one of the best known dog surfing beaches in the world; Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach; Cannon Beach in Oregon; and Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island in Washington.

Some beaches, such as Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area in Manasquan, N.J., require a leash. That law wasn't enforced until after Superstorm Sandy did a lot of damage and the county decided to start ticketing offenders.

Similarly, Live Oak Beach in Santa Cruz County was known as a "don't ask, don't tell" beach until recently, said Ingrid Wander, who let Asia, her chocolate Labrador retriever, run free.

Wander got a $160 ticket in January.

She still takes Asia there at low tide. Wander walks, collects shells, takes photos of sea life and watches out for the law as Asia fetches balls in the water.

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COLORADO 'SWIMMING HOLES'

Dress your dog in a pair of swim trunks and check out these parks with water features:

• Union Reservoir Dog Beach, Longmont — The designated area is leash-free and allows access to the 736-acre reservoir. So your pooch can swim and splash to its heart’s content. tinyurl.com/cmfnrdf

• Durango Dog Park — This leash-free, 5-acre space is near the Animas River, where you can play in the water or watch rafters while you stretch your legs after a long drive. tinyurl.com/FunDurangoDog

• Bear Creek Dog Park, Colorado Springs — Improvements to the 25-acre, leash-free park include a couple of “swimming holes” thanks to county erosion prevention and widening on a half-mile stretch of Bear Creek. tinyurl.com/czxdumx